Singer Angela Bofill has died aged 70.
The R and B sensation – best known for hits including ‘This Time I’ll Be Sweeter’, ‘I Try’ and ‘Angel of the Night’ – passed away on Thursday (13.06.24) morning at her daughter’s home in Vallejo, California, it was revealed to People by her representative on Friday.
News of her death was also shared on the singer’s Facebook account in two separate posts on Friday, one of which said: “ON BEHALF OF MY DEAR FRIEND ANGIE, I AM SADDENED TO ANNOUNCE HER PASSING ON THE MORNING OF JUNE 13TH.”
The post added Angela’s funeral will be held at St Dominick’s Church in California on 28 June at 1pm.
A second update stated: “JUST TO CLEAR UP THE CONFUSION. ON BEHALF OF SHAUNA BOFILL, HUSBAND CHRIS PORTUGUESE, WE ARE SADDENED BUT MUST REPORT THAT THE PASSING OF ANGELA YESTERDAY IS INDEED TRUE. WE THANK MELBA MOORE AND MAYSA FOR THEIR EARLY CONDOLENCES. THANKS FOR YOUR MANY POST(S).”
The message was signed by Angela’s friend and manager Rich Engel.
Angela opened up about her life and career in 2020 to Essence after rumours of her death had circulated online just months before her chat.
She said she had found out about the hoax after she was hit by “a lot of calls” confirming if her passing was true.
Angela added: “Friends calling up: ‘Oh my God, am I talking to the ghost of Angela Bofill?’
“Thank God it’s not true.”
When asked how she felt to see the tributes pouring in during the death hoax, she replied: “You always must welcome love. I figured, ‘They really like me!’ “(I’m just) laughing at it, really. It’s better to have a sense of humour.”
Angela also said she had a will to live longer so she could see her grandchildren graduate from high school and college.
The rumours of Angela’s death spread after she suffered health complications in the wake of two strokes in 2006 and 2007.
She told The Denver Post in 2011 after a five-year break from showbusiness so she could focus on her health: “I feel happy performing again. I need (the) crowd – (it’s) in the blood (to) entertain.
“Any time a crowd comes to see me, I’m surprised. No sing no more and still people come. Wow. Impressed.”
Angela started recording music in her teens and released her first studio album ‘Angie’ in 1978.
She continued recording records into the 1990s, with some of her other hits including ‘Something About You’, ‘I’m on Your Side’, ‘Let Me Be the One’ and ‘I Just Wanna Stop’.